Gyroscopic toy



F. M. PIERCE GYROSCOPIC TOY Jul 5, iii- 27.

Filed May 31, 3,923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. M PIERCE GYROSCOPIC Toy Filed May s1, 1923 2 Shets-5heet g q 1 I nr a v v E g I. f WW.

Patented July 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES FRANK M. PIERCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

eYnosoorIo :roY.

Application filed May 31, 1923. Serial No. 642,393.

This invention relates to toys or amusement devices of the gyroscopic type wherein motion is applied to the flywheel by means of a cord wound and unwound upon the hub of the wheel in such a manner as to reverse the direction of rotation of the wheel each time the cord is pulled.

Heretofore, toys of the general type outlined above have been produced in a multiplicity of forms. It is an object of this invention to improve upon the existing types in several ways which will'be brought out in detail hereinafter.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of the class described wherein the operating cord is always in place, yet can be operated as often or as little as desired. By providing the device of this invention with a free ring or loop of the cord on one side of the wheel, the cord can be held free from the wheel after starting the rotation thereof so that the wheel can be allowed to gradually run down Without releasing the cord, if so desired.

It is another object of this invention to combine a sound producing device with the gyroscope whereby if the cord is 'allowe'd to wind up on the hub and is then released, the free end of the cord will strike the sounding device at each revolution of the gyroscope.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a device of the kind described wherein means are provided affording an automatic take-up or re-winding of the propolling means.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and accompanying drawings.

This invent-ion (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of one form of a device embodying features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, with the operating cord wound onto the hub or spacer alongside the gyroscope in a position to start the rotation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a partial section of a slightly modified form.

Fig. 4 is an end view corresponding to Fig. 1, with parts omitted.

Fig. 5 is an end view corresponding to Fig. 2 with parts omitted.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 8.

Figs. 7 and8 are sectional views at right angles of another modified form of the de-' vice.

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views with parts in elevation illustrating the application of a colored segmental disk.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 refers to a handle of any suitable material on one end of which is mounted a U-shaped frame 11 apertured at each end for a pin or pivot bolt 12. Between the ends of the U-frame suitable spacers or hubs 13 are rotatably mounted on the pivot pin. Between the hubs or spacers 13 a gyroscopic or weighted balancedwheel 14: is freely rotatable. This wheel comprises an apertured disc having a heavy rim 15. As shown, this rim is formed of an annular ring of metal, over which the material of the disc is bent or spun to form a substantial wheel with the moment of inertia as large as possible. This disc 14 is preferably dished so that the bearing on the pin will be central with respectto a crosssection of the wheel rim.

A bell 16 or other sound producing means is attached to the frame in any convenient way in a position to be struck by the flying end of a cord 17 used to impart motion to the wheel 14;; The cord is preferably at tached to a ring 18 free on one of the spacers 13, although it may be looped and tied about the spacer itself as shown in Fig. 3.

In either case the cord is not immovably se cured to the spacer, friction of the cord over the rim of the wheel being sufficient to impart motion thereto when the balance of the cord is wound upon the other spacer and the free end of the cord is pulled.

The modification, shown in Figs. 7 and 8 does not differ in principle from the other, from the changes comprising placing the handle in line with the plane of the wheel and adding a boss 19 to the frame for the purpose of utilizing or demonstrating the gyroscopic effect of the rapidly rotating wheel let.

The operation of this toy is comparatively simple, an advantage When considering the youth of the average user. The and 10 and the rapid relative rotation of string or cord is always in place ready to be used to reverse the spinning wheel, yet holding the cord will not stop the wheel. Assuming that an initial rotative motion has been given the Wheel, simply bending the loosely held cord over the rim 15 will frictionally engage thecord, (see Figs. 1' and l) and wind it upon the spacer at the other side of the wheel, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. To assist this action, a notch 20 may be formed in the rim to pick up the cord, but this is not essential. A sudden pull on the end of the cord so wound up will reverse the direction of motion of the wheel whereupon the cord can be, wound up in a reverse direction. By releasing the end of the cord it swings out due to centrifugal force, striking the bell at each revolution of the wheel; A knot 22 in the end of the cord will intensify the sound produced.

A modification of this mode of operation is shown in Figs. 3 and 6, wherein the cord is shown looped about one spacer. Itwill beevident thatthe ring 18 may beused if desired, the figures really. being intended to l tr t two. ndep ndent. odificat ons- Inthese figures the cord is passed through an aperture 21in the Web of the wheel, h a;v-, ing the effect of fastening. theco rd to, the wheel. With this form the cord may be pulled at predetermined intervals to reverse the wheel or released to cause striking of the bell, as heretofore described.

A plurality of!apertiuessuchas 21, may be provided inthe Websoshaped as to give. a hurnming or whistling music during rapid rotation of the wheel, if so desired,

It should also be noted thatthe aperture. 21 is placed so that it will be contacted by a knot 21, thus facil itating the eii'ect-ive e gage nent between the wheel and theipropelling string. I attain a novel color blend: ing etiect by loosely mounting a disc mem: ber 23 on onev of the spacer-s13 said disk member being painted orotherwise in pressed with bands of primary colors 24 and the web of the wheel l l adjacent saiddisc member being also provided with bands ofdissimilar or preferably co npleinental colors 25. The relative rotation, of the members 23 will be limited by the contact with, the knotin thev cord 17 as shown in Figs, 9

the wheel 14 Will act to cause variegated color effects which are very striking.

I am aware that numerous details of construct-ion may be varied through a Wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purposelimiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

l'claim as my invent-ion:

1. Inatoy of the class described a handle, a frame, a pin passing through said frame, a, pair of. spacers freely rotatable on said pin, and a rotatable wheel j ournalled' on said pin between said spacers. and a cord adapted to be wound on one of said spacers by said wheel, said cord beii'lg connected to said wheel.

In a toy of the class described a handle, a frame, a pin passing through said. frame, a, pair of freely. rotatable spacers on said pin, a rotatable wheel journalled on said pin between saidzspacers, and a cord loosely secured around one of,saidspacersjenga 'ing said wheel and adapted to, be wound upon the other of said spacers; to impart motion to said wheel. I

In atoy of,theelassdesoribed a handle,

a frame, a pin passing through said frame,

a pair of freely rotatable spacers on said pin, a rotatable wheel journalled on said pin betweenraid spacers, a cord loosely. secured around one of said spacers engaging said wheel and adapted to be wound upon the other. of said spacers to impart motion to said wheel, and av sound; producing means.

located in a, position to be struck by th free end of said cord whenisaidlcord is released after windingupon said spacer,

l. In a toy comprisingv a ro table wheel and a', suitable support therefor, a cord OoSely surrounding the pivot of said wheel and adaptedto friction-ally engage oyer said periphery on oneside thereof passing axially over the periphery thereof to cause rotation thereof, said cord extending around said pivot on the other side of said wheel, the end remaining free, andsonndpredue ing means onsaid support adapted to be struck by the free endof said cord.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name. 7 I

' FRANK M. PIERQE. 

